A tasty way to help

Potters Bowl benefits local free clinic

Potters Bowl benefits local free clinic

February 07, 2008|By JULIE E. GREENE

In 2007 the Community Free Clinic in Hagerstown had 14,499 patient visits and dispensed more than 33,000 prescription medications with a total retail value of more than $2.8 million, Executive Director Robin Roberson said.

Last year's Potters Bowl raised $17,011 which helped pay for patient care services, such as supplies and the staff salaries at the clinic, according to Roberson and Carol Mendelsohn, co-chairwoman for the Potters Bowl. The clinic also is served by many volunteer medical professionals.

This Sunday afternoon, Tri-State-area residents have another opportunity to taste a variety of soups, take home a handmade soup bowl and help Washington County residents who have no medical insurance.

The 16th annual Potters Bowl will be held at the Hagerstown Elks Lodge off Robinwood Drive, a roomier site that should provide more comfort for the more than 240 people expected, Mendelsohn said.

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In past years, the event was held at Trinity Lutheran Church or Congregation B'nai Abraham's synagogue, both of which have co-sponsored the event for the Mill Street clinic.

This year, 29 potters created bowls for ticket-holders to take home, Mendelsohn said.

Among them is Jackie Shaw, 66, of Smithsburg. After retiring from teaching art, Shaw started taking pottery classes at Hagerstown Community College. At the end of summer 2003, students began talking about the Potters Bowl, which Shaw had attended early on at the synagogue.

"It was very packed in there. You were almost sitting on top of your neighbors," Shaw said. But the event had a "good, community feel" and was for a good cause.

Recently, Shaw had trouble getting tickets. The fundraiser usually sells out early. But for this year's Potters Bowl, as of Wednesday, there were still 20 tickets left, Mendelsohn said.

That's 20 opportunities left to taste a variety of soups, including sausage and white bean, chicken soup with matzo balls, Persian vegetable soup, mulligatawny, mushroom-barley and Maryland crab, said Janet Shaool, co-chairwoman for the event. Other food includes fruit, homemade bread, coleslaw salad and desserts.

There also will be a raffle for four artistic prizes, including a Ben Jones print and a portrait of the winner's pet by Beth Beckner-Mills.

Mendelsohn said a live auction will be held for seven items, including private yoga lessons, a gold and silver bracelet with diamonds, a handmade quilt and a sitting for a photographic portrait by Hagerstown photographer Chris Heurich.

If you go ...

COST: Tickets are $50 each. There were 20 tickets left as of Wednesday. To reserve tickets, call Congregation B'nai Abraham's synagogue at 301-733-5039. Tickets must be picked up from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Friday at the synagogue at 53 E. Baltimore St.